Choosing the best perennials for year-round color

Many people who love gardening aim to make a lively garden that is full of color all year long. Picking the right perennials helps keep your garden bright and full of life throughout the year. In this guide we will look at some unique perennials that can add color to your garden all year long. We will focus on plants that are pretty and not as popular in your local garden center.

Getting to know perennial gardens

Perennials are plants that stick around for over two years. Perennials are different from annuals because you don’t have to replant them every year. They die off when the growing season ends but come back from the same roots the next year. They keep going which makes them a good option for gardeners who want to build a garden that lasts and is easy to maintain.

**Amazing Things About Winter**

It can be tough to find plants that look good in winter but putting in the work is worth it to keep some color during the cold season. A great choice for winter is the hellebore which some people call the Christmas rose or Lenten rose. These strong plants flower in late winter and are available in different colors like light pink purple and white which adds some much-needed color when many other plants are just resting. Evergreen plants will add shape and feel to your winter yard.

Flowers that bloom in spring

When spring comes you hope to see fresh growth and colorful flowers making your garden look lively. Think about using "Brunnera" in your shady garden. It has pretty blue flowers that look a bit like forget-me-nots and its leaves are shaped like hearts. If you want a bright place in your garden you might consider Iberis sempervirens which is called candytuft. This plant stays low to the ground and has bunches of white flowers while keeping its green leaves all year long.

Summer Shows

Summer gardens burst with warmth and sunlight so your choice of plants should show that energy. Echinacea which people often call coneflower can handle hot and dry weather and it draws in pollinators with its bright pink or orange flowers. If you want a plant that gives you bright blue flowers in the summer when they are not so common consider trying "Anchusa azurea" also known as Italian bugloss. It grows best in sunny spots and needs soil that drains well.

As summer turns into fall your garden can look great by adding plants such as Sedum especially the Autumn Joy type. The thick leaves and groups of pink flowers that turn a rich copper-red as they grow create beautiful sights in the fall. A good option is "Aster" which has flowers shaped like stars and comes in blue purple and white. It adds some nice texture and the blooms last a long time.

**Foliage and Texture All Year Long**

You shouldn't ignore the plants and leaves when trying to make your garden look bright and lively. Plants such as Heuchera also known as coral bells have bright colors in their leaves that can be lime green gold or even dark burgundy and they look good all year long. In the same way Japanese forest grass called Hakonechloa can add a nice touch to your garden with its bending stems and colorful leaves.

Growing achievement

When you pick perennials for your garden think about the flowers but also pay attention to what they need to thrive like how much sun they get the kind of soil you have and the weather in your area. If you add a variety of plants that bloom at different times throughout the year your garden will have a nice flow of colors that looks good all year long.

Picking the right perennials for color throughout the year means you need to know about the plants and what your garden needs. If you mix different winter blooms spring flowers summer plants and fall colors your garden can be a lively place all year round.